I know what it’s like to have a brother with a disability. They say that having a disability is a disadvantage that limits a person’s senses or activities. Having to watch my brother struggle with his disability, I know this to be true, but I also know that he is capable of living a normal life. My brother was born premature, and the doctors told my mom that he might have down syndrome. My mom looked over the doctors predictions. The doctors were wrong, but my brother was still born with developmental delays. When my brother was about five, the cardiologist told my mom that my brother needed heart surgery. After the surgery, it was the time he was diagnosed with mild mental retardation. My mom and dad married shortly after, and a year later I was born.
Having a brother with disability has times where it can be hard. When people ask if I have any siblings, I tell them that I have an older brother and younger sister. I leave out the tiny part that my brother has “special needs”. When I was in elementary school, my brother used to come in to pick me up. I felt as if when people looked at him, they exactly knew that he was my brother, and that they would treat me differently just because I was related to him. I was always embarrassed. One day, I told my class that he was my “half brother”. I kinda used this excuse a lot as an escape from the judgement I felt that people gave me. The teacher told me that I shouldn’t call him my half brother because it sounded as if my brother would never be good enough for me. I felt guilty and ashamed because I knew she was right. I shouldn’t hide my brother or be embarrassed of him, but I should help him out and be a good example for him.
My brother is now 21 years old and living on his own. He still has a year left of school and has been completely independent for two years. He lives in a group home and gets the help that he needs daily. My brother’s disability has taught me is to be open minded with people who are different and to accept those for who they are. You shouldn’t treat people who struggle with a disability with disrespect. Instead, we should be compassionate and understanding towards others. My brother has also taught me to stay strong and always have a good attitude no matter what.
Having a brother with disability has times where it can be hard. When people ask if I have any siblings, I tell them that I have an older brother and younger sister. I leave out the tiny part that my brother has “special needs”. When I was in elementary school, my brother used to come in to pick me up. I felt as if when people looked at him, they exactly knew that he was my brother, and that they would treat me differently just because I was related to him. I was always embarrassed. One day, I told my class that he was my “half brother”. I kinda used this excuse a lot as an escape from the judgement I felt that people gave me. The teacher told me that I shouldn’t call him my half brother because it sounded as if my brother would never be good enough for me. I felt guilty and ashamed because I knew she was right. I shouldn’t hide my brother or be embarrassed of him, but I should help him out and be a good example for him.
My brother is now 21 years old and living on his own. He still has a year left of school and has been completely independent for two years. He lives in a group home and gets the help that he needs daily. My brother’s disability has taught me is to be open minded with people who are different and to accept those for who they are. You shouldn’t treat people who struggle with a disability with disrespect. Instead, we should be compassionate and understanding towards others. My brother has also taught me to stay strong and always have a good attitude no matter what.